Sri Lanka participated as an exhibitor and the partner country at the 34th edition of the Piknik nad Odrą”, from 10-11 May 2025, an annual international outdoor travel fair in Szczecin city, 573 kilometers from the capital city of Warsaw in Poland. It was the first time Sri Lanka participated in the event, which is one of the largest travel fairs in the country, that commenced 20 years ago and held at the scenic banks of the Odra River. A large number of local and foreign attendees from surrounding countries, including from Germany, visited the exposition.
Sri Lanka’s participation was organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Poland. The Embassy participated at the event on behalf of Sri Lanka.
‘Chathurya Dance Academy’ from Milan, presented energetic and captivating traditional Sri Lankan dance performances, including mask and fire dances at the Opening Ceremony, and at multiple venues of the event, in an interactive and an engaging manner, drawing large crowds to experience the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. On the second day of the event, a Sri Lankan chef from the Aliya restaurant in Poland prepared a popular Sri Lankan dish that was served to large numbers of visitors to the exposition. The Sri Lankan community dressed in traditional royal attire paraded through, attracting large crowds.
The Sri Lanka stall consisting of promotional material, including tourist brochures, destination maps, gift bags, were handed out to a large number of visitors to the stall, fascinated by Sri Lanka’s vibrant presence with drums and dance, prevailing throughout the two days of the event. Those who visited the stall were briefed about Sri Lanka’s key tourist attractions, unique experiences, and year-round offerings. Some tourism-related contacts were also secured at the event.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Poland, Priyangika Dharmasena delivered the welcome address at the Opening ceremony, highlighting the beauty of Sri Lanka, the accolades bestowed upon it, the increasing numbers of Polish tourists to the country and inviting all to visit Sri Lanka. Speeches were also delivered by the Deputy Mayor of Szczecin and from the Department of Tourism Development Support of Polish Tourist Organization.
During the live studio interview, Ambassador Dharmasena explained the diverse beauties of Sri Lanka. Subsequent interviews followed from the Sri Lankan chef, and the President of the organizing committee, the latter been interviewed from the perspective of a tourist who had recently visited Sri Lanka. The interviews were broadcast on local TV and other media.
In the evening, Ambassador Dharmasena, in her speech at the Exhibitors’ Evening Gala Dinner, underscored the beauty of Sri Lanka and enticed travellers to “without hesitation, to make that trip, which will be so fulfilling that you would wish to go again and again’.
On arrival at the city, Ambassador Dharmasena also visited the City Hall and met with Piotr Krzystek the Mayor of Szczecin.
The fair attracted over 70,000 visitors and featured more than 250 exhibitors from Poland and abroad, including Spain, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Tunisia, Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, and Cuba. The tourism-related local exhibitors included participants from municipalities, hotels, holiday and recreational centers, sanatoriums, sport companies, and air, bus and ferry services.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Warsaw
30 May 2025
